Making a move in March

Witton have been prevented by the weather from kick-starting their month, but have wasted no time playing catch-up with back-to-back wins over Shaw Lane and Stourbridge.

They have risen to sixth in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight as a reward.

A trip to Ashton United follows this weekend – perhaps their biggest game of the season so far – before Halesowen Town arrive at Wincham Park on Tuesday.

Hednesford Town make the same trip on Easter Saturday.

If Carl Macauley’s men can take seven points from those games, then they will start April as serious contenders to pinch a promotion play-offs place.

March was a fruitful month last year too; they won six of seven league fixtures.

When a plan comes together

Carl Macauley spent time during his post-match press conference praising the impact of his substitutes, Micah Evans and Paul Williams.

The former stretched a defence that had been allowed to stay compact; Danny McKenna, a left-footed player stationed on the right, instinctively cut inside when he received possession while James Foley on the other side is not a natural wide player.

While Evans ability to dribble past an opponent gave Stourbridge something to think about, the home team could still not breakthrough.

Williams’ arrival was justified almost instantly when twice in quick succession he sent accurate vertical passes that turned around the visitors’ defence.

His other party trick, delivering quality set-pieces, led to midfielder Tom Owens score the game’s only goal with two minutes left.

Northwich Guardian:

Micah Evans, right, made an impact as a second-half substitute for Witton Albion during their 1-0 win against Stourbridge on Tuesday. Picture: Tyler Crouchman

The return of Anthony Gardner

Albion’s club captain had not started a Northern Premier League match for three months – since injuring his ankle in a 1-1 draw at Shaw Lane before Christmas.

A lengthy rehabilitation, coupled with McKenna’s outstanding form as his deputy, delayed the 27-year-old defender’s return.

He slotted back in seamlessly, and combined well with McKenna – pushed forward into a midfield role in the absence of Owen Dale – on the right.

Gardner was assured in defence too against Stourbridge’s Kaiman Anderson, tasked with drifting inside from the left flank to support Luke Benbow when the visitors had possession.

Not only that, his long-throws have been missed in attack.

Northwich Guardian:

Anthony Gardner started a Northern Premier League fixture for the first time since December 16 when Witton Albion hosted Stourbridge on Tuesday

Keeping shackles on Luke Benbow

Macauley and Gary Martindale, his assistant, have repeatedly expressed their admiration for Benbow – a striker they consider to be among the best in the Northern Premier League.

They are right to; the striker scored 32 goals for Gary Hackett’s side last season to take the Premier Division’s Golden Boot.

It earned for him a transfer to Solihull Moors in the National League, although he has since returned to Stourbridge on loan.

Macauley told the Guardian afterwards that he had briefed River Humphreys and Michael Wilson, his central defenders, to resist the temptation to take the ball off the front man’s toes.

“I told them they couldn’t afford to sell themselves because he’ll hurt us by getting a shot off at goal,” said the Albion boss.

“He’s one of the best forward in the division at creating a yard of space.”

A third successive clean-sheet is proof his message got through.

Don’t leave early…

Macauley quipped afterwards that his side had served a reminder to their supporters that leaving early shouldn’t cross their minds.

He is right too.

Owens’ goal marks the sixth occasion this season that Witton have collected points as a result of scoring in the 88th minute or later.

On three other occasions – against Buxton, at Altrincham and again when they went to Matlock – it has yielded a victory.

Meanwhile goals from Owen Dale, away to Shaw Lane, and Rob Hopley against Barwell turned a losing position into a share of the spoils.

The goals from those half-dozen games have been worth 10 points alone for Albion.

That is in part a refusal to lose, and a nod to his players’ fitness, according to the manager.